Franconia in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Laurel Grove Colored School and Church

Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 21, 2009

1. Laurel Grove Colored School and Church Marker

Inscription. In the early 1880s, former slaves organized a congregation and held church services near a grove of laurel on Beulah Road. The trustees, including Middleton Braxton, George Carroll, Thornton Gray, and William Jasper, were focused on educating the children of the congregation. In 1881, Georgianna and William Jasper, a former slave of William Hayward Foote of Hayfield Plantation, deeded one-half acre from his thirteen acre farm to the segregated Virginia School System for $10.00. The school served the community until 1932. In 1884, the Jaspers deeded another half acre for construction of a sanctuary next to the school.

Erected 2008 by Fairfax County History Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, Fairfax County History Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.

Location. 38° 46.098′ N, 77° 9.303′ W. Marker is in Franconia, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is on Beulah Street 0.1 miles south of Walker Lane, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6840 Beulah St, Alexandria VA 22310, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

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markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Carrolltown (approx. 0.8 miles away); Franconia (approx. one mile away); Olander Banks, Sr. and Margaret Lomax Banks (approx. 1.1 miles away); Potter’s Hill (approx. 1.8 miles away); The Spy with the Glass Eye (approx. 1.8 miles away); The Rose Hill Raid (approx. 2.2 miles away); Rose Hill (approx. 2.2 miles away); a different marker also named Rose Hill (approx. 2.2 miles away).

Regarding Laurel Grove Colored School and Church. The Church mentioned burned down completely. The church sign and cemetery are still standing

Also see . . .
1. About Laurel Grove School: Getting This History Out. (Submitted on January 15, 2009, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
2. History of Laurel Grove School. Laurel Grove School Museum website entry:
“The enthusiasm and pride of the colored teachers, parents, and the African American community prevailed against the resistance and harassment of the county’s white residents. Laurel Grove students remember closing the shutters of their school to prevent rocks from breaking windows. Yet, in this segregated school, without the facilities and supplies, Laurel Grove students learned geography without maps and competed successfully with their peers in colored fairs. A few followed the example of teachers, earning certificates

Laurel Grove School and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul D Blumstein, January 14, 2009

2. Laurel Grove School and Marker

to educate new generations of children in the county’s segregated public schools. ” (Submitted on April 21, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)

Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 21, 2009

3. Laurel Grove School and Marker

Laurel Grove School, Est. 1884 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 21, 2009

4. Laurel Grove School, Est. 1884

Jasper / Symms Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 21, 2009

5. Jasper / Symms Monument

“Austin T. Jasper, 1824–1906; His Wife Martha Ann, 1831–1916; Children Marshall M., 1856–1917; Otis Mason 1859–1924. Mary E. Symm, Daughter of A.J. & M.A. Jasper, 1861–1920.”

Credits. This page was last revised on December 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 15, 2009, by Paul D Blumstein of Alexandria, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,766 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on July 26, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1. submitted on April 21, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 2. submitted on January 15, 2009, by Paul D Blumstein of Alexandria, Virginia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 21, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.